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Commissioner Howe presses parcel-billing equity; appraiser estimates 10,000 parcels could be combined
Summary
Commissioners debated the fairness of billing the solid-waste fee per parcel; the county appraiser estimated roughly 10,000 parcels could be combined but staff warned title and survey costs often deter owners from consolidating.
Commissioner Howe and other commissioners raised equity concerns about the county's approach that bills the solid-waste fee on a per-parcel basis, saying multi-parcel owners and small municipal parks can face disproportionate charges.
"There's roughly 10,000 of these parcels that need to be combined," Mark, the county appraiser, said, acknowledging many owners find the cost of a title search or survey prohibitive. Staff and the clerk's office explained that combining parcels often requires title-company work and, for unplatted property, a surveyor, and that costs can exceed the financial benefit for some owners.
Angela John, chief deputy clerk, told commissioners the clerk's office sent guidance in late March and early April to property owners who might be eligible for combination and that costs vary depending on whether parcels are contiguous, in the same name, platted, or unplatted. Commissioners discussed options short of owner-driven title work, including allowing appeals based on contiguous parcels for fee assessment purposes, but staff cautioned that changing billing systems would be complex and could incur software costs.
